Survivors

June 2 is National Cancer Survivor Day!  Congratulations to all you out there!  Last week I passed my 2 year milestone.  Am I a different person from 2 years ago?  You bet!  I am better.  They say that there is a BC an a AC (Before Cancer and After Cancer).  This is so true.  We are all better for what we have accomplished by beating this disease.  Everyday is a milestone.  This morning in church a song was sung talking about how trials are God's blessing in disguise.  He uses them to mold and make us better. I cried through the whole song.  I could relate to the entire song.  God has molded me all along the way these past two years.  It has help mold my family too!  I am excited to see my youngest son graduate from high school Saturday.  Two years ago I wondered if I would be here to see this day.  In 1993 my father was diagnosed with cancer and 30% chance of living.  He took experimental chemo and he will also be here to see his grandchild graduate.  We are survivors and also fighters.  Don't give up the fight.  Remember there is a purpose for everything, we just don't always know what it is.  When you can't see the forest from the trees....keep going.

Keep fighting,

Cathy

Ups and Downs

It was a beautiful day today here in Wisconsin. After weeks of rain, we finally had a few dry days.  I began planting my porch box flowers until storm warnings came in again.  A bird flew over and left his droppings on my pants!!!!  I didn't even see any birds in the sky and all of the sudden my pants had a white dropping.   This is how life after cancer can be.  You have good days and bad.  Just like planting flowers on a beautiful sunny day, you can be feeling great.  Then, a bird flies over and some droppings of bad days appear.   We all can try to rise over the bad.  I laughed off the bird .  I know it is harder to laugh off the days of feeling tired or the aches and pains.  A positive attitude goes a long way.  I am still battling fatigue.   The CPAP machine is helping me sleep better, but I am still tired.  I am dreaming, which is something that I was not doing.   I still am very tired and yawning during the day.  The cause will be found, but patience needs to be learned.  The Lord never promised a life without ups and downs.  I believe it is how we react to those "downs" is important.  The Lord reminds us that we need his help and can't do this on our own.   Have a great week!


Keep Fighting!


Cathy

2 Years and Hanging Tough

It looks like a month almost flew by without a post.  I am sorry about that.  The good news is last week it was 2 years from that phone call that changed everything. Those two years were full of ups and downs.  I plan on writing 3years next year. Even with chemo-brain somethings will not be forgot.  Hearing the word Cancer is one of them.  In many ways it has made me a much stronger person.  I have learned so much about myself, my family , my friends and those I have contact with.  I have met wonderful caring doctors ,nurses and technicians.  My faith has grown and the Lord has blessed me so much.  You learn to say I'l  try not I can't.  You learn to treasure each moment.
Today I had a visit with my breast surgeon.  I think she is the best. We did mention that priorities are put in the correct order with cancer.  I even think that pain is relative. What might have "hurt" two years  ago is just a little "pinch" now.  I used to not be able to look at blood draws and now I watch to see if the blood will come.
I know that 2 years ago I wondered if I would live to see my son graduate from high school and in 7 weeks I will be there to cheer.  My hair is gray and I don't care.  At least I have some.  Do I have aches and pains?  Sure!  But I am glad to be here.
Don't give up!  Be thankful for what you have and those around you.   Hopefully you will be able to read my post on the 3 years since that phone call. Don't walk this path alone.  You have fellow survivors to help and the Lord is on our side.


Keep Fighting


Cathy

I t has been awhile since I have written.  I talked about the flexi-touch pump.  It seems to be working!  My arm has gotten smaller and I need a new sleeve to accommodate it.  I have a 2 month evaluation with the O.T. therapist to officially decided if it is worth it.  The insurance will then decide if they will continue to rent the machine.  I just came back from a week in Florida.  Because the machine was bulky, I did not take it with me.  I noticed a difference.  There was definitely more swelling.  It was good to relax and unwind.  Just as this sea shell seems alone on the beach, just remember we are not alone, we are fighting together.

Keep fighting,

Cathy

Keep Searching

I hope that you trust your doctors since you are putting your life in their hands.  If you are not satisfied with an answer, search for it.  I was getting tired of hearing "post radiation".   Every symptom etc. was labeled "post radiation."  Now that I am 14 months out of radiation, I began to question more why I was so tired.  The oncologist finally sent me to a neologist.  He was given the task to figure out why I have "foggy" times and am so tired.  He thought I needed a sleep study for sleep apnea.  The insurance company wasn't so willing.  I appreciate the fact that he took time to call the insurance company himself and fight for the test.  To me that is a sign of a good Dr.   He did not leave it up to the nurses and paperwork, but did it himself.  Sunday night, I had a sleep study.  It was very interesting.  I sleep all night at the hospital hooked up to sensors.  If I opened my eyes, the nurse in another room knew it and talked to me.  The test showed that I needed a CPAP machine.  This will make sure I get enough oxygen at night.  Hopefully soon I won't be tired and "foggy".

Keep Fighting,

Cathy

Fashion

No one who claim me to be a fashion diva, but I think it is something that lymphedemia patients struggle with.  A winter I have been in short sleeves or sleeveless.  It works better with my compression sleeve.  The material of the long sleeve pulls my compression sleeve down.  Since live in Wisconsin, I do need a winter coat.  The same thing would happen.  I stumbled upon a winter cape (coat) at Kohls and it has solved that problem.   The cape is very stylish and I have had sooo many compliments from complete strangers.  The cape allows my arm to  have plenty of room to move.  If it is really cold I wear a quilted vest or fleece under the coat.  The vest doesn't show and keeps me warm.  I am hoping to find a raincoat that is a cape too.

Flexi touch

I got my flexi-touch lymphedemia pump !!! My family all thought I look like a cosmonaut.   They said that without hearing what the other had said.  It is quite cumbersome to put on, but I know it will get easier when I am more familiar with it.   I used it yesterday for the first time after a training by a company rep.  She was very nice and came to my home to explain everything.  I then must lie for 1 hour a day while the pump works.  If you know me, this will be the hardest part. I don't like sitting still for a long period of time.  I always have something to do.  It feels good while it works. After the first time my hand swelling was considerably down.  It has since built up , but I think if I used this everyday I can get it in control.  The pump is expensive.  Insurance is renting it for 2 months to see if it works then will decide if they will continue.  That sounds fair to me.  It is sill to own something if it doesn't work.